HiQ Readies Intrepid Vanners for Asian Charity Road Trip

If Ranulph Fiennes was planning a 10,000 mile road trip across Asia, he probably wouldn’t select a Daihatsu Hijet van as his vehicle of choice. But four students have spurned the Land Rover and other rugged machines trusted by explorers in favour of this Japanese microvan. It’s probably just as well then that they made a last minute visit to a fast fit centre in Plymouth to get everything ship shape.

Before heading off across 16 countries, Matt Clarke, Simon Rogers, Harris Kuemmerle and Hugo Maxwell took their little Daihatsu to HiQ in Sutton Road for a full once over. Technicians completed a vehicle service check to ensure they don’t get left deserted on their travels after they leave on July 24. HiQ completed an MOT and full service check for the Plymouth lads, who are completing the three month trip in aid of charitable institution Mercy Corps Mongolia, and even supplied them with new tyres to get them through the journey.

The students will embark on the Mongol Rally on Saturday and hope to enhance the lives of those in the country with funding and direct interaction with the locals. Bob Saunders, HiQ Plymouth’s centre manager said: “When the guys approached us and told us of the journey they were about to undertake, I was happy to help them out. They are a great bunch of guys and I wish them the best of luck – they’ll certainly need it.”

“This is an extremely kind gesture that has saved us a lot of time, effort and money,” added Harris Kuemmerle. “Thanks to HiQ, we are just about ready to go.”